Centrifugal machine.



No. 695,!58. Patented Mar. Il, |902. W. P. LAFFERTY.

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

(Appumidn med nec. 1e, 190ml (No Model.) 3.Sheete- $heet I.

Luo. 695,58. .Patented Mar. :1,1902. w. P. LAFFEBTY.

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

(Application led Dep. 16, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR Wfl/.7271 Ri/Tiff): y l

@Wy-.j 7 5 Tg4: Nonms Pneus ou, moroumm wAsumoTcN, D cv No. 695,!58. Patented Mar. Il, |902.

` w-. P. LAFFERTY. CENTBIFUGAL MACHINE.

(Application med nec. 1e, 1901.)

(No Model.) v3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

WITNESSITIS: INVENTOR: W/lLf/f Rl/iFFHW'); JM 6 uwm limitan @farne artnr einen.,

VALTER P. LAFFERTY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CENTRIFUGL MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 695,158, dated March 1 1, 1902. Application filed December 16, 1901. Serial No. 86,035. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

13e it known that I, WALTER P. LAFFERTY, of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Machines, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to centrifugal'separators of the type wherein an im perforate drum is fixed for rotation upon a vertical spindle which is supported to rotate and gyrate within an inclosing casing.

The object of my invention is to provide a inachinewhich is adapted byits peculiar construction to rapidly and efficiently separate liquid from starch and similar substances.

My improvements comprise certain details of construction hereinafter more definitely specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical section through a machine conveniently embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of said niaehine,taken on the line 2 2 of' Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of said machine, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

and f3, connected by radial arms f4.

In said figures, A is the base-plate, upon which are mounted the tubular standards B, which uphold the casing C, which is maintained in fixed relation with the base-plate by means of the bolts D, extending through said standards. Said bolts are provided with heads d', socketed in the bottom of said casing C, and jam-nuts d beneath said base-plate.

rlhe foot-block A is fixed upon the baseplate A in concentric relation with the casing C, and the step-bushing o. is mounted to gyrate therein and support the weight of the spindle E upon the thrust-washers a2. The drum F, which is fixed upon the top of the spindle E, comprises a bottom frame F', having a central hubf, fitted to said spindle, and medial and peripheral annular flanges f2 The imperforate cylindrical shell F2 of the drum is fixed at its lower edge upon the peripheral flange f3 and is supported and stiffened by the circumferential bands f5. The separate annular bottom plate F3 extends from the peripheral flange f3 to the medial flange f2, and the discharge-opening F, com prisinfr the radial interstices between the arms f1, extending from the hub f to the flange f2, is provided with the removable cover G, seated upon the hub f', overlapping the edge of the bottom plate F3.

The annular top plate F5 is fixed at the upper edge of the shell F2, and the radial imperforate vanes H are fitted closely to the periphery of' the drum F in channels 7L upon the bottom plate F3 and in channels 7L upon the top plate F5, so as to be readily removed when it is desired to empty the solid contents of the drum through the dischargeopening F4. Said vanos H are stiffened at their inner edges by flanges h2, projecting in the direction of rotation of the drum.

The spindle E and drum F are rotated by means of the band-wheel I, which is fixed by the set-screw i upon the lower extremity of the spindle. It being found in practice that the center of gravity of the loaded drum does not always coincide with the axis of said spindle, I have provided means to support said spindle beneath said drum, arranged to permit of the gyration thereof due to any such eccentricity,and thus avoid undue strain and friction upon the bearings.

The bottom plate C2 of the easing C has a vertical flange C3 formed at the margin of the discharge opening C", the latter being of somewhat greater radius than the opening F* in the drum and in registry therewith. Said iiange G3 is provided with a series of radial openings c3, extending toits top, arranged to receive respective seat-rings j for the springs J, which surround the rods K and abut against the washers 7i; thereon. Each of said washers 7c is arranged to be longitudinally adjusted upon its respective rod K by means of the jam-nuts K', and the series of rods K are connected by the pins Z with the bearingsleeve L, which surroundsl the spindle E below the drum F. The parts described are therefore so arranged as to yieldingly support said spindle and permit of its gyration, as aforesaid, although the set of the springs is such as to normally maintain said spindle and drum in concentric relation with the casing C.

The discharge-chute M is fixed by the bolts m upon the bottom plate C2 of the casing C and comprises the sleeve il in concentric relation with said oasin g. Said sleeve My is made of conical form, as shown, to permit of the gyration of said spindle with the least diameterof the lower extremity m of the sleeve, which is entered in the oil-receptacle t" of the driving-wheel I. The lower extremity Z of the sleeve L overhangs the upper extremity fm2 of said sleeve M, so as to excludef rom said sleeve the material discharged down said chute.

In order that the rotation of the drum and spindle may be promptly checked when a charge of material has been treated Within said drum, I provide the driving-wheel I with a brake-ange I in fixed concentric relation therewith. Said brake-liange is encircled by a normally stationary brake-band N, whose opposite extremities n 1t are secured upon the oppositely-extending arms o o of the brakelever O, which is mounted to oscillate upon the standard P, fixed upon the base-plate A The relatlon of the brake parts is such that when the lever O is in the position shown in Fig. 3 the driving-wheel I and the parts connected therewith are free to rotate, while the band N remains stationary. When, however, said lever is shifted in the direction of the arrow upon Fig. 3, said band N is caused to grip the liange I', and thus check the rotation of the driving-wheel, spindle, and drum.

As a matter of convenience the base-plate A is provided with a standard Q, arranged to support hangers Q for guide-pulleys Qwhich, as indicated, are adjusted and secured in proper relation with the band R, arranged to drive the wheel I.

`The operation of the device is as follows: The parts being inthe position shown in Fig. l, the material to be treated is delivered within the drum F through the central openingin the cover C of the casing C and the top plate F5 of the drum. The drum being thereupon rotated at the proper speed gyrates in accordance with the location ot' its centerof gravity from instant toinstant, the tensile strain upon the rods K of the springs .I tending, however, to maintain said'drum in concentric relation with the casin As the result of the centrifugal action within the rotating drum the solid portion of the material treated is shifted toward the shell F2,and the liquid portion tl1ereof is discharged over the annular top F5 bel neath the cover C and falls within the casing C. Said liquid is drained through the outlet C5 at the bottom of the casing and is disposed of in any convenient manner. The centrifugal action within the drum is of course dependent not merely upon the speed of rotation of the drum, but upon the speed of rotation of its contents, and whereas a considerable loss in efficiency results from the employment of an ordinary drum which may rotate independentlyof its contents it is to be noted that by myimprovement theimperforate vanes I-I engage the material within the drum and compel its rotation with the latter without interference with the centrifugal action. When, however, it is desired to remove the concentrated product from the drum, the speed of rotation of the drum and spindle is checked by means of the lever O and brake-band N, and the rotation of the contents of the drum being also checked by the aforesaid engagement therewith of said vanes H the cover G is uplifted from the position shownin Fig. l. The vanes H are withdrawn bodily through the top of the dru m,and the concentrated product is discharged through'the opening F4 in the drum in registry with the opening O4 in the bottom C2 of the casing C, and, falling within'the chute M, is discharged laterally to be disposed of in any convenient manner.

It is to be noted that by reason of the peculiar construction of the mechanism above described all of the parts are readily accessible for cleaning, adjustment, repairs, duc. The cover C of the casing G being removed and the set-screwt' retracted, the drum F and spindle E may be uplifted and removed from the casing. Access is thus had to all of the springs J and the rods K connected therewith, which may beindependently adjusted in position or be bodily raised and removed, together with the sleeve L, the openings c3, extending to the top of the flange C3, permitting such a manipulation of the parts. rIhe chute M may of course be removed by withdrawing the bolts m, which serve to fix it upon the bottom casingsplate C2.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise arrangement of the parts which I have shown, as itis obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

' I claiml. In a centrifugal machine, the combination with a stationary casing comprising a discharge-opening; of a spindle arranged to rotate and gyrate in said casing; a drum fixed on the upper end of said spindle within said. casing; vanes in said drum; adischarge-opening in said drum in registry with the dischargeopening in said casing; a cover for said opening; a bearing-sleeve embracing said spindle, intermediate of said drum and casing; means connected to said bearing-sleeve arranged to yieldingly support said spindle; and means to rotate said spindle and drum, substantially as set forth.

2. In a centrifugal machine, the combination with a stationary casing comprising a discharge-opening; of a spindle arranged to rof tate and gyrate in said casing; a drum fixed on the upperend of said spindle `within said casing; vanes in said drum; a discharge-open ing in said drum in registry with the dischargeopening in said casing; a cover for said opening; a bearing-sleeve embracing said spindle, intermediate of said drum and casing; a series of tension-rods extending radially from said bearing-sleeve; springs surrounding said rods and abutting against said casing; means to adjust the stress of said springs upon said rods; and means to rotate said spindle and drum, substantially as set forth.

IOO

IIO

eeaise 3. In a centrifugal machine, the combination With a stationary casing comprising a discharge-opening; of achute secured to said casing in registry With said opening; a sleeve on said chute; a spindle arranged to rotate and gyrate in said sleeve; a drum secured on the upper end of said spindle Within said casing; vanes in said drum; a discharge-opening in said drum in registry with the dischargeopening in said casing; a removable cover for said opening; means arranged to yieldingly support the upper end of said spindle; and means to rotate said spindle and drum, substantially as set forth.

4. In a centrifugal machine, the combination with a stationary casing comprising a discharge-opening; of a chute secured to said casing in registry with said opening; a conical sleeve on'said chute; a spindle arranged to rotate and gyrate in said sleeve; a drum secu red on the upper end of said spindle Within said casing; vanes in said drum; a discharge-opening in said drum in registry with the discharge-opening in said casing; a removable cover for said opening; means arranged to yieldingly support the upper end of said spindle; and means to rotate said spindle and drum7 substantially as set forth.

5. In a centrifugal machine, the combination with a stationarycasing comprising a discharge-opening; of' a chute secured to said casing in registry With said opening; a stationary sleeve on said chute; a spindle arranged to rotate and gyrate in said sleeve; a drum secured on the upper end of said spindle Within said casing; vanes in said drum; a discharge-openingin said drum in registry with the discharge-opening in said casing; a removable cover for said opening; a bearing- Sleeve embracing said spindle and overhanging the upper end of said stationary sleeve; means connected to said bearing-sleeve arranged to yieldingly support the upper end of said spindle; and means to rotate said spindle and drum, substantially as set forth.

G. In' a centrifugal machine, the combination with a stationary casing comprising a discharge-opening; of a chute secured to said casing in registry With said opening; tionary sleeve on said chute; a spindle arranged to rotate and gyrate in said sleeve; a drum secured on the upper end of said spindle Within said casing; vanes in said drum; a discharge-opening in said drum in registry with the discharge-opening in said casing; a removable cover for said opening; a verticallyextending flange around the margin of the opening in said casing; openings in said flange; a bearing-sleeve fixed to said spindle; rods, each connected at one end to said bearing-sleeve, and projecting through the respective openings in said fiange; nuts on the outer ends of said rods; springs embracing said rods and abutting against said flange and said nuts; and means to rotate said spindle and drum, substantially as set forth.

7. In a centrifugal machine, the combination with a stationary inclosing casing; of a rotary spindle in said casing; an imperforate drum Within said casing, fixed upon the top of said spindle; astep bearing in said casing supporting the lower extremity of said Vspindle; a bearing-sleeve surrounding the upper portion of said spindle, beneath said drum; means to yieldingly support said bearingsleeve with respect to said casing; radial openings in the bottom of' said drum, concentric with said spindle; a removable cover for said openings; a vertically-depending flange on said drum, at the margin of said openings; an opening in the bottom of said casing concentric With said spindle, of greater radius than the openings in said drum; a verticallyextending flange on said casing at the margin of said opening; and a discharge-chute, fixed with respect to said casing, in registry with said openings, substantially as set forth.

Signed as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this lelth dayof December, 190l.`

VALTER P. LAFFERTY.

Vitnesses:

ARTHUR E. Pares, CLIFTON C. I-IALLOWELL.

a stai 

